Vaccine mandates for domestic travel, outgoing international flights to be suspended

The federal government announced on Tuesday it will be dropping the requirement that domestic and outbound international travellers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, effective June 20.

In an earlier version of this story, senior government sources told CTV News that the new travel restrictions and lifting vaccine mandates would come into effect on Wednesday.

Foreign nationals coming to Canada will still be required to be vaccinated.

CTV News app sign-up: Breaking news alerts and top stories delivered right to you

The mandates first came into effect in October 30, 2021, and have required all passengers on planes or trains to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to be allowed to board.

The mandates have been the subject of heavy criticism from the Conservative Party of Canada in the House of Commons in recent months.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.

Three Quebec men from same family father hundreds of children

Three men in Quebec from the same family have fathered more than 600 children.

'What have we done?' Lawyer describes shock at possible role in Trump's 2016 victory

A lawyer who negotiated a pair of hush money deals at the centre of Donald Trump's criminal trial recalled Thursday his "gallows humor" reaction to Trump's 2016 election victory and the realization that his hidden-hand efforts might have contributed to the win.

B.C. mayor stripped of budget, barred from committees over Indigenous residential schools book

A British Columbia mayor has been censured by city council – stripping him of his travel and lobbying budgets and removing him from city committees – for allegedly distributing a book that questions the history of Indigenous residential schools in Canada.

New scam targets Canada Carbon Rebate recipients

Fake text message and email campaigns trying to get money and information out of unsuspecting Canadian taxpayers have started circulating, just months after the federal government rebranded the carbon tax rebate the Canada Carbon Rebate.

Universities grapple with the complicated politics of campus encampments

Montreal police are facing pressure to move in and dismantle a pro-Palestinian encampment on McGill University campus on Thursday, as a growing number of universities across this country grapple with the tough decision of how to handle the protests.

Police order B.C. woman who praised Hamas not to protest for 5 months, says her group

A pro-Palestinian activist group says its international co-ordinator, who was arrested in a Vancouver hate-crime investigation, was released with an order not to attend any protests for the next five months.

Conservative MP says Chinese hacking attack targeted his personal email

A Conservative MP is challenging claims by House of Commons administration that a China-backed hacking attempt did not impact any members of Parliament, because the attack was on his personal email.

Loblaw leaders call criticism 'misguided,' say they aren't to blame for high food prices

Loblaw chairman Galen Weston and the company's new CEO are pushing back against critics who blame the grocery giant for soaring food prices, as a month-long boycott of the retailer gets underway.

Canada

Police order B.C. woman who praised Hamas not to protest for 5 months, says her group

A pro-Palestinian activist group says its international co-ordinator, who was arrested in a Vancouver hate-crime investigation, was released with an order not to attend any protests for the next five months.
London Drugs stores remain closed for 5th straight day, phone lines operating

London Drugs stores in Western Canada remained closed Thursday due to a "cybersecurity incident," marking the fifth straight day of closures.
Quebec premier asks police to dismantle camp at McGill University

Quebec Premier Francois Legault has called on the police to dismantle the pro-Palestinian protest encampment on the lower field of McGill University's downtown campus in Montreal.
Cape Breton man pleads guilty to possessing police clothing, hats and gear

A Cape Breton man who had a collection of police uniforms, patches and hats has pleaded guilty to a charge under the province's Police Identity Management Act.
Universities grapple with the complicated politics of campus encampments

Montreal police are facing pressure to move in and dismantle a pro-Palestinian encampment on McGill University campus on Thursday, as a growing number of universities across this country grapple with the tough decision of how to handle the protests.
Fourth teen charged with second-degree murder in connection with Halifax student's death

Police say a fourth teenager has been charged in connection with the death of a student in Halifax last week.

World

Captain sentenced to 4 years for criminal negligence in fiery deaths of 34 aboard scuba boat

A federal judge on Thursday sentenced a scuba dive boat captain to four years in custody and three years supervised release for criminal negligence after 34 people died in a fire aboard the vessel.
EU announces 1 billion euros in aid for Lebanon amid a surge in irregular migration

The European Union announced Thursday an aid package for Lebanon of 1 billion euros — about US$1.06 billion — much of which will go to boost border control to halt the flow of asylum seekers and migrants from the small, crisis-wracked country across the Mediterranean Sea to Cyprus and Italy.
Gangs in Haiti launch fresh attacks, days after a new prime minister is announced

Gangs in Haiti laid siege to several neighbourhoods in Port-au-Prince, burning homes and exchanging gunfire with police for hours as hundreds fled the violence early Thursday in one of the biggest attacks since Haiti's new prime minister was announced.
Pennsylvania nurse who gave patients lethal or possibly lethal insulin doses gets life in prison

A Pennsylvania nurse who administered lethal or potentially lethal doses of insulin to numerous patients pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and other charges Thursday and was sentenced to life in prison.
President Joe Biden calls Japan and India 'xenophobic' nations that do not welcome immigrants

President Joe Biden has called Japan and India “xenophobic” countries that do not welcome immigrants, lumping the two with adversaries China and Russia as he tried to explain their economic circumstances and contrasted the four with the U.S. on immigration.
Judge declares mistrial after jury deadlocks in lawsuit filed by former Abu Ghraib prisoners

A judge declared a mistrial Thursday after a jury said it was deadlocked and could not reach a verdict in the trial of a military contractor accused of contributing to the abuse of detainees at the Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq two decades ago.

Politics

Conservative MP says Chinese hacking attack targeted his personal email

A Conservative MP is challenging claims by House of Commons administration that a China-backed hacking attempt did not impact any members of Parliament, because the attack was on his personal email.
Liberal MP says she's leaving politics over disrespectful dialogue, threats, misogyny

Liberal MP Pam Damoff says she won't run again in the next federal election, saying she has experienced misogyny, disrespectful dialogue in politics and threats to her life.
With foreign meddling inquiry to release first report Friday, what do we know so far?

On Friday, Canadians may get long-awaited answers about the integrity of the country's last two elections, which was thrown into question last year as reports of attempted foreign interference came to light. Here's what we learned.

Health

Doctors concerned about potential spread of bird flu in Canada

H5N1 or avian flu has been detected at dozens of U.S. dairy farms and Canadian experts are urging surveillance on our side of the border too.
Halle Berry shouts from the Capitol, 'I'm in menopause' as she seeks to end stigma and win funding

Halle Berry is joining a group of bipartisan senators to push for legislation that would put US$275 million toward research and education around menopause, the significant hormone shift women go through in middle age.
Doctors dealing with at least 160 Canadians suffering eye damage possibly linked to looking at the eclipse

Nearly a month after the total solar eclipse, at least 160 cases of eye damage have been reported across the country.

Sci-Tech

Orangutan observed treating wound using medicinal plant in world first

Scientists working in Indonesia have observed an orangutan intentionally treating a wound on their face with a medicinal plant, the first time this behavior has been documented.
Facial reconstruction reveals what a 40-something Neanderthal woman may have looked like

Scientists studying a Neanderthal woman's remains have painstakingly pieced together her skull from 200 bone fragments to understand what she may have looked like.
B.C. man awarded $5,000 in damages in first-of-its-kind intimate image case

In a first-of-its-kind case, a B.C. tribunal has ruled on a dispute involving the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, awarding damages and issuing orders that the photos be destroyed and taken offline.

Entertainment

The first wrongful-death trial in Travis Scott concert deaths has been delayed

The start of the first civil trial stemming from the 2021 Astroworld festival, at which 10 people were killed in a crowd surge, has been delayed.
Groundbreaking American guitarist dies age 86

Guitarist Duane Eddy, best known for twangy riffs on hits such as 'Rebel Rouser' and 'Cannonball,' has died at the age of 86.
Britney Spears reaches divorce settlement with estranged husband Sam Asghari

Less than a week after reaching a court settlement with her father, Britney Spears has reached one with her soon-to-be-ex-husband.

Business

TD Bank hit with $9.2M penalty after failing to report suspicious transactions

Canada’s financial-crime watchdog has levied a $9.2-million penalty against The Toronto-Dominion Bank for non-compliance with money laundering and terrorist financing measures as the bank also faces compliance investigations in the U.S.
N.S. Power wants ratepayers to cover $22M bill for last year's storm damages, repairs

Nova Scotia Power has filed an application with the province's Utility and Review Board to have ratepayers cover the cost of last year's storm damage to the tune of $22 million.
Should I invest with a human or a robot? Traditional firms vs. robo-advisors

Investors considering where to park their money have a choice: go with a traditional financial adviser or trust in an algorithm. Here are the pros and cons of both.

Lifestyle

Planets aligned for Quebec astrologer's lottery win

A Montreal astrologer and horoscope writer just got a boost on his retirement budget, after winning Loto-Quebec’s Grande-Vie prize, which comes in the form of $1,000 a day for life.
'Bare-adise' adventure: This nude cruise is due to set sail from Miami in 2025

What do you need to pack for a cruise? When it comes to this upcoming cruise from tour and travel company Bare Necessities, the answer appears to be very little.
Imagine living in a 4-foot body that doesn't develop chronic diseases

Nathaly Paola Castro Torres has a rare disorder called Laron syndrome that is caused by a genetic mutation. It stunts her growth but also provides a hidden silver lining: Her body is protected from chronic diseases such as cancer that often take life away long before old age.

Sports

Oilers await second-round opponent, plan to use rest as a weapon

During what they hope is a deep run through the gruelling Stanley Cup playoffs this spring, the Edmonton Oilers will take all the time off they can get.
Auston Matthews to miss second straight playoff game with Toronto Maple Leafs facing elimination

Auston Matthews will miss the Maple Leafs' must-win Game 6 against the Boston Bruins.
Billie Jean King is getting the Breakfast of Champions treatment. She'll appear on a Wheaties box

Billie Jean King is a 39-time Grand Slam champion and an equal rights champion — and now she's getting the Breakfast of Champions treatment. The twice-inducted tennis Hall of Famer will appear on a limited-edition box of Wheaties.

Autos

These driving offences now come with an automatic impoundment, licence suspension in Sask.

Drivers in Saskatchewan will now lose their licence for a week and their vehicle for a month if they are caught committing certain high-speed and dangerous offences on the road.
April auto sales jump 14 per cent; still below pre-pandemic levels: DesRosiers

Auto sales last month totalled 164,000 units, higher than April 2023, which was the weakest month for sales last year.
Rolls-Royce is growing its factory so it can build its 'bespoke' cars more slowly

Rolls-Royce is vastly expanding its factory in Chichester, England. The BMW subsidiary is adding five new buildings with construction planned to start next year.

Metro Vancouver police seize several kilos of drugs in raids connected to B.C. gang conflict

Mounties are recommending charges against several people after officers seized more than 10 kilograms of suspected fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and opioid pills during a series of raids in Metro Vancouver.
COVID hospitalizations drop below 100 as BCCDC switches to monthly reporting

The number of people with COVID-19 in B.C. hospitals dropped below 100 this week for the first time since last summer.
B.C. man convicted of fentanyl trafficking after judge rejects claim drugs belonged to a friend

A B.C. man has been convicted of possessing fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking despite claiming the drugs were not his – a defence the judge said he could not "accept or even entertain."

Toronto

Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
Auston Matthews to miss second straight playoff game with Toronto Maple Leafs facing elimination

Auston Matthews will miss the Maple Leafs' must-win Game 6 against the Boston Bruins.
One person injured in fire at North York synagogue

A synagogue in North York was badly damaged in a two-alarm fire Thursday morning that left one person injured, and officials are working to determine the cause of the blaze.

Calgary

Calgary 'getting better' at talking about domestic abuse, but more work needed: advocate

Calgary police and a local advocacy group are urging citizens to watch for warning signs following a deadly domestic assault in the community of Redstone.
Southern Alberta store broken into by burly black bear

Staff at a small southern Alberta office supply store were shocked to find someone had broken into the business last week, but they were even more confused when they discovered the culprit was a bear.
‘It seemed like a great fit’: Forward Sam Morton has been a perfect fit for the Wranglers

Sam Morton grew up in California and from a very early age, hockey was a big part of his life.

Ottawa

Teenager critically injured after being stabbed during lunch-hour fight in Nepean

Ottawa paramedics say a teenage male was taken to hospital in critical condition following a stabbing that happened in Nepean Thursday.
Former Ottawa city councillor Diane Deans in palliative care

Former Ottawa city councillor Diane Deans is in palliative care after a five-year battle with ovarian cancer, according to Gloucester-Southgate Coun. Jessica Bradley.
Highrise fire leaving 2 children, woman in critical condition deemed suspicious

The Ottawa Police Arson Unit says the fire at an Overbrook apartment building that sent two children and a woman to hospital in critical condition Thursday morning has been deemed suspicious.

Montreal

Heavy police presence at McGill University as counter-protesters assemble opposite pro-Palestinian encampment

A heavy police presence was at McGill University on Thursday morning, as counter-protesters assembled opposite the pro-Palestinian encampment at the school.
Planets aligned for Quebec astrologer's lottery win

A Montreal astrologer and horoscope writer just got a boost on his retirement budget, after winning Loto-Quebec’s Grande-Vie prize, which comes in the form of $1,000 a day for life.
Quebec premier asks police to dismantle camp at McGill University

Quebec Premier Francois Legault has called on the police to dismantle the pro-Palestinian protest encampment on the lower field of McGill University's downtown campus in Montreal.

Edmonton

Man 'running around with an axe' smashed Edmonton courthouse glass panes: EPS

Several Edmonton Law Courts glass panes were smashed with an axe Wednesday night, the Edmonton Police Service said.
Oilers await second-round opponent, plan to use rest as a weapon

During what they hope is a deep run through the gruelling Stanley Cup playoffs this spring, the Edmonton Oilers will take all the time off they can get.
RCMP looking for more victims after Edmonton man charged with child luring, sexual assault

RCMP are looking for additional victims after an Edmonton man allegedly used Snapchat to lure and sexually assault a youth.

Atlantic

Fourth teen charged with second-degree murder in connection with Halifax student's death

Police say a fourth teenager has been charged in connection with the death of a student in Halifax last week.
N.S. Power wants ratepayers to cover $22M bill for last year's storm damages, repairs

Nova Scotia Power has filed an application with the province's Utility and Review Board to have ratepayers cover the cost of last year's storm damage to the tune of $22 million.
Men in SUV approached children, offered candy: N.S. RCMP

The Nova Scotia RCMP is investigating a “suspicious incident” involving men allegedly approaching children in St. Croix on Tuesday.

Winnipeg

Foodfare employee suspended after ‘violent confrontation’ with customer

An employee at a St. Matthews-area grocery store has been suspended and police are investigating after a confrontation with a customer over the weekend.
Osborne Village Starbucks set to close temporarily, no reopening date specified

The Osborne Village Starbucks is set to close temporarily next week.
Selkirk bowling captain rolling into her 90s

Strikes and gutters, ups and downs, could define the life of 91-year-old Mary Busch.

Regina

'Bad deal for Sask.': NDP want province to publicly oppose potential Viterra takeover

The opposition NDP are calling on the Saskatchewan government to publicly oppose a potential merger of agriculture giants Viterra and Bunge.
Sask.'s Boundary Dam carbon capture project underperforming: report

A signature carbon capture and storage project in Saskatchewan continues to miss emissions reduction goals, raising questions about the cost-effectiveness of the technology, according to a report.
U of R to hike tuition and fees 4% in latest $283M budget

The University of Regina (U of R) is reporting its first balanced budget in years – with the promise to reinvest in student supports as the institution puts its pandemic related fiscal challenges in the rear view mirror.

Kitchener

Cambridge man may need to tear down retaining wall city made him build

A Cambridge homeowner says the city ordered him to rebuild a retaining wall along his property on Edward Street. Now, he might have to take a section of it down.
New Hamburg, Ont. family can't get truck's faulty transmission fixed due to aftermarket attachment

A New Hamburg family is feeling deflated after buying a new Toyota hybrid truck.
Shirt stolen from Kitchener memorial

Waterloo regional police are investigating a theft from a cultural display set up at The Healing of the Seven Generations in downtown Kitchener.

Saskatoon

An 18-year-old was stabbed on a Saskatoon bus, police say

Saskatoon police are investigating an assault on a city bus after an 18-year-old man was stabbed on Wednesday afternoon.
'Healthy, happy calves': Cow gives birth to rare set of quadruplets in Saskatchewan

A Saskatchewan family won the bovine lottery after their cow gave birth to a rare set of quadruplets.
Saskatoon police say a man was seriously assaulted for trying to stop a theft

Saskatoon police are asking for the public’s help in investigating a serious assault that occurred on April 24 near a gas station in the 300 block of Confederation Drive.

Northern Ontario

Northern Ont. police forced into the river to save intoxicated swimmer

An intoxicated man wearing only his underwear and a lifejacket had to be pulled from the Thessalon River early Wednesday evening.
This Canadian restaurant just lowered its prices. Here's how it did it

A Canadian restaurant lowered its prices this week, and though news of price tags dropping rather than climbing sounds unusual, the business strategy in this case is not, according to experts in the field.
Sault police executing search warrant for home where two bodies were found

Detectives with Sault police, including members of the forensic identification unit, executed a search warrant Thursday inside a residence on Boundary Road.

London

Fatal crash involving off-road vehicle

One person has died following a crash in North Perth late Wednesday night. Around 11:30 p.m. first responders were called to Line 72, east of Perth Road 158 for a passenger vehicle and an off-road vehicle had collided.
Witness testifies about being sexually assaulted by others as well as parents

A London, Ont. jury heard evidence that the children of a London family were sexually assaulted by other people besides their parents on different occasions.
Railway Museum housing plan 'off track': Neighbours

A petition opposing the sale of lands next to the Elgin County Railway Museum in St. Thomas is gaining 'traction.'

Barrie

Man charged with attempted murder after assault allegations

Police in Barrie charged one man with attempted murder after an alleged assault sent one individual to a trauma centre with life-threatening injuries on Tuesday.
Family of man killed in Wasaga Beach crash breaks silence ahead of trial

The family of Jim Lynne is speaking out for the first time since his death in a crash in Wasaga Beach two years ago as the man accused of drunk driving that night prepares to head to trial.
Circus show in limbo as City of Barrie approval goes down to the wire

Publicized as a "spellbinding experience," performers from the French-based Cirque De Paris was left scrambling for a temporary building permit approval on Thursday.

Windsor

Trucker convicted of importing $29M in meth across Ambassador Bridge

A truck driver has been convicted of importing $29 million in methamphetamine across the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor.
Sinkhole fixed on University Avenue

The intersection of University Avenue at Church Street has reopened after crews repaired a large sinkhole.
'It’s unfortunate': Vandals cut wires to window washer aerial lift truck

Men in Kilts owner, Ben Snow is frustrated after discovering an aerial lift truck his window washing team had been using at a two-day job near downtown Windsor had been vandalized sometime overnight earlier this week.

Vancouver Island

B.C. man convicted of fentanyl trafficking after judge rejects claim drugs belonged to a friend

A B.C. man has been convicted of possessing fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking despite claiming the drugs were not his – a defence the judge said he could not "accept or even entertain."
Metro Vancouver police seize several kilos of drugs in raids connected to B.C. gang conflict

Mounties are recommending charges against several people after officers seized more than 10 kilograms of suspected fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and opioid pills during a series of raids in Metro Vancouver.
B.C. launches secondary suite incentive program, with forgivable loans of up to $40K

B.C. has launched its previously announced secondary suite incentive program, with eligible homeowners able to receive thousands of dollars in forgivable loans to construct a rental unit.

Kelowna

B.C. breweries take home awards at World Beer Cup

Out of more than 9,000 entries from over 2,000 breweries in 50 countries, a handful of B.C. brews landed on the podium at the World Beer Cup this week.
B.C. man rescues starving dachshund trapped in carrier: BC SPCA

An emaciated dachshund is now recovering thanks to a Good Samaritan who found the pup near a biking trail in Kelowna, according to the BC SPCA.
Search crews called in after missing Kelowna senior's truck found

Search and rescue crews have been called in after a vehicle belonging to a missing senior was located near a rural intersection outside of Kelowna Tuesday.

Lethbridge

'Here to help': The Watch celebrating 5 years of patrolling Lethbridge streets

Volunteers with ‘The Watch’ program in Lethbridge have been patrolling the city centre rain or shine for five years.
Safety gear, training, helped B.C. wildfire pilot survive crash, safety board says

A Transportation Safety Board report says experience, recent training and safety equipment were key factors in a pilot surviving the crash of a firefighting plane south of Cranbrook in August 2022.
On do-or-die night in Brooks, Caelan Fitzpatrick comes up big to lead Bandits past Oilers

Facing a Tuesday night elimination game, Caelan Fitzpatrick responded with a hat trick to lead the Brooks Bandits past the Okotoks Oilers 5-1.

Sault Ste. Marie

Northern Ont. police forced into the river to save intoxicated swimmer

An intoxicated man wearing only his underwear and a lifejacket had to be pulled from the Thessalon River early Wednesday evening.
Northwestern Ont. police seize cash and weapons in $126k cocaine bust

A 54-year-old suspect has been charged after Ontario Provincial Police capped a three-month investigation with a raid of a residence in Schreiber, Ont.
Northern homelessness services facing deep cutbacks on federal funding

Social services in the north are bracing for deep funding cuts to homelessness services and Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus is calling on the federal government to explain why it is scaling back at a time when the north is facing a social disaster.

N.L.

Newfoundland fisherman says police broke his leg during protest that delayed budget

Richard Martin is spending this year's fishing season on land after he says a Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officer broke his left leg in three places during a protest last month that shut down the provincial legislature.
'I feel honoured to say I was his friend': Wayne Gretzky remembers Bob Cole

Tributes continue to pour in for Bob Cole as his family has confirmed a funeral will be held for the legendary broadcaster Friday in St. John's, N.L.
Voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole never considered moving out of St. John's

Legendary sportscaster Bob Cole was a Newfoundlander through and through, and his daughter says his connection to the province was 'everything' to him.